It has been said of George Frederick Handel that when his health and finances were at a low point, he rose to the greatest heights of his creative experience. His creditors were threatening him with imprisonment, and he was suffering from partial paralysis. He then went into seclusion and there fellowshipped with God as never before. During that time, God enabled him to write the grandest of all his oratorios, Messiah. The notes seemed to fly from his pen.
Being a Christian does not mean that we will be carried through life on “flowery beds of ease.” As members of a fallen race, we are subjected to sickness, accidents, and tragedy like everyone else. Furthermore, we encounter the added struggle of spiritual conflict with the Evil One and the lifelong battle against our own sinful tendencies. Yet the Lord always sustains us through each trial and works to bring good out of the most trying circumstances.
It may seem that difficulties would prevent us from being productive in the Lord’s service, but actually the opposite can be true. Through God’s intervention, our losses can be turned into great gain, and the outcome of our trials will become a blessing to others.
How encouraging that in all things, even our afflictions, God is working everything together for our benefit. Overruling the bad to produce good is no problem to an all-powerful, good God. – Henry G. Bosch
No gain? Ah, I‘d forgotten
My Father’s faithful word
That all things work for blessing
To them that love the Lord. – Beckley
Affliction can prepare ordinary Christians for extraordinary service.
- July 19, 1988, Our Daily Bread
For You 